The 4 Nations Face-Off captivated the sports world over the last two weeks with an incredible display of passion and hockey. The person poised to maximize this positive momentum is ESPN NHL analyst P.K. Subban, who began his journey with ESPN during the 2022 postseason as the NHL returned to the network. He then signed a three-year deal with ESPN in Fall 2022, transitioning to a full-time studio analyst. Since then, Subban has become a central figure in the network’s hockey coverage, often teaming with Steve Levy and Mark Messier.
With the added audience and exposure from the 4 Nations Face-Off, P.K. Subban embraced the brighter spotlight, continually promoting both the tournament and the sport of hockey itself. At virtually any time you tuned into ESPN, there was a significant chance of seeing Subban, granting him exposure typically reserved for stars like Mike Greenberg and Stephen A. Smith. His ability to capture the moment’s zeitgeist set him apart, emphasizing the players’ dedication and the unique appeal of international hockey, especially in contrast to other recent sporting events, such as the NBA All-Star Game.
.@PKSubban1 weighs in on if the NHL could inspire the NBA to change the All-Star format to USA vs. the World ✍️ pic.twitter.com/QcJGB3kfL3
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 18, 2025
Moreover, Subban’s appeal extends beyond hockey enthusiasts; his remarks on First Take regarding athlete role models, while possibly critiquing some NBA stars went viral, attracting over 1.7 million views along with numerous positive comments through replies and quote-tweets.
“I’m sick and tired of making athletes greats, all-time greats that aren’t the best examples! Those are the people that we want our kids to follow.” – P.K. Subban pic.twitter.com/b6XX0juZlf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 20, 2025
After a thirteen-year playing career featuring three All-Star appearances and a Norris Trophy, Subban appeared destined for a role in media, highlighted by his vibrant personality and style. It is these recent weeks that have showcased his crossover appeal, potentially making him a household name at ESPN.
Subban is effectively taking the torch from the legendary Barry Melrose, who was the NHL’s voice at ESPN during challenging times when the network lacked NHL rights. Melrose sustained hockey fans’ connection to ESPN by maintaining hockey’s visibility. However, the sports media landscape has shifted in 2025, especially at ESPN. The challenge now is not just to be recognized as “the hockey guy,” but to actively participate in shaping sports narratives, appearing on programs like First Take or Get Up.
In light of the 4 Nations’ triumph, many wonder how ESPN and the NHL can harness this momentum during the latter half of the regular season and postseason. A promising strategy could be for P.K. Subban to remain a frequent presence on daily shows, elevating the sport’s profile even further. Ironically, this resurgence of daily hockey coverage coincides with ESPN’s decision to opt out of its MLB deal due to perceived insufficient promotion of baseball coverage.
Subban embodies the ideal fit for this role, despite being not without critics. His hockey pedigree positions him as the authoritative voice on the sport, while his enthusiasm resonates with casual fans. Furthermore, Subban possesses the personality and crossover appeal to feature regularly alongside Mike Greenberg and Stephen A. Smith, engaging in various topics. Perhaps he’s evolving into more of the NHL’s Dan Orlovsky rather than simply a modern-day Barry Melrose.
Though the 4 Nations may have concluded, P.K. Subban and hockey are anticipated to maintain their visibility on ESPN’s daily radar.
